Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 82282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
I hadn’t seen, nor heard, her in nearly a week due to the Benton High Cheerleading team away at a district meet.
She was gorgeous.
On the shorter side, but quite muscular, she reminded me a lot of Baylee.
“Hi, Jade. And yes, I do agree with you. He’s one fine specimen if I do say so myself.” I agreed.
Jade giggled and started walking into the building with me, chatting about nothing consequential.
“Ms. Sheffield,” Jade questioned. “Are you going to the homecoming game this Friday?”
I pursed my lips in thought. “Well,” I hesitated. “I guess I could. What time does it start?”
Jade squealed in excitement. “That’s awesome. I can’t wait for you to see...I’m sorry. I can’t wait for you to be there. There’s never a dull moment. This’ll be my first time on top of the pyramid. Usually the seniors are the only ones that get to go up there, but I beat Chelsea in our weight class...”
The girl could talk, that was for sure. She lost me at pyramid.
I listened with half an ear as we made it to the Special Education room, and I gave a wave and sent her on to class.
“By the way, Ms. Sheffield, bring Officer Spurlock with you Friday!” She said giddily before bouncing away, catching up to one of the men from the football team.
The boy-man wrapped little Jade up into a bear hug and carried her to class, making me smile at their antics.
I was one of the laid-back teachers. As long as they weren’t fighting, I was fine with it.
“Put her down!” Sandra screeched as she passed them on the way to the Special Education door.
Sandra was one of the not so laid-back teachers. In fact, she was a right bitch, and I hated her guts.
I didn’t think there was a thing she could do that would make me hate her more, but I was proved wrong moments later when she walked into my office, balled up a piece of paper she had in her hands, and tossed it into the trash before leaving for her own office.
Walking slowly to my trash, I lifted out the only thing in the trashcan. The crumpled up piece of paper Sandra had thrown before leaving. Unfolding it and smoothing it out on my desk, I scanned the note, thankful I was able to see it clearly, and fumed.
Ms. Sheffield,
Please come to my office at your earliest convenience.
Ronald.
Ronald was the Principal, and technically my boss.
Standing up straight from my hunched position over my desk, I stomped out of my office and towards Ronald’s.
I only waved at the old bat behind the desk, not nearly in the mood to deal with her surliness, and walked straight into Ronald’s office and closed the door.
“Ahh, Ms. Sheffield. I’m glad you could make it this time.” Ronald said turning away from his computer and giving me his full attention.
“This time?” I asked confused.
“Yes,” he nodded sagely. “I’ve been doing everything short of walking down to your office to get you up here. Calling you, sending you notes. Hell, last week I actually did walk down to your office and Sandra said you were out to lunch.”
My eyes closed, and rage simmered in my belly. “Did you end up speaking with Sandra all these times?” I asked softly.
His bushy eyebrows scrunched together as his lips purse. “Now that you mention it, yes, yes I did speak to Sandra all of those times. Why?”
I shrugged. “Well, I never received any messages, and I actually found this note balled up in my trashcan.”
His eyebrows rose in surprise. “Really? Sandra just told me she delivered all of my messages and assured me you were getting them. In fact, she told me she read them to you aloud each time.”
His eyes were hard, as if upset that I was ignoring his summons. “I can assure you that I have not gotten any of your messages. In fact, I specifically saw Sandra walk into my office with this note and throw it in the trash can.”
It took him a few moments before he finally caught on to what I was saying before he smiled widely. “You can see?”
I held my hand out and made a so-so gesture with my hand. “Sort of. In fact, it was about 75 percent in my left eye when I walked into school today, and is now down to about 50 percent. My doctor says it has a lot to do with my stress levels.”
He was nodding vigorously. “Well, I’m just happy that you’ve made improvements. Now, all I wanted to really know was how you liked your job. What improvements do you feel that we need to make in the special education department?”
I thought about the question before I explained with all honesty. “Well, I feel that the department could vastly improve. Right now we see anywhere from four to eight students an hour, most there for help during tests. Leona has been a super help. I feel that the SE department would do much better if we had some sort of...bonding exercises. There’s still a huge gap between the two schools, and I have no clue how to bridge it. Sandra doesn’t like me because I took her job, and those that were under her at the other school follow her lead.”
Ronald was new to the school. The two schools decided that they’d hire out of either school system for the right person for the job. The two previous principals had retired, not wanting to fight what they saw was inevitable when the two schools merged, making it possible to out-source the job.
Ronald had been in the public school system for nearly thirty years, starting out as a history teacher after his stint in the marines, and moving up the chain of command from there. He was an excellent principal, and all the students loved him.
Even both sets of teachers from the opposing schools.
“Okay,” he nodded. “I understand how that could be a problem. I’ll be having a talk with Sandra. From there, I’d like you to plan out your retreat, and I’ll mandate the teachers to attend to count as their continuing education. Win-win for all parties!”